Thanks for this info! Is there any chance I could get in trouble just for consulting with this preparer, even though I haven't filed with them yet? I didn't sign anything but I'm freaked out that my name might be associated with them now.

You're completely fine if you haven't signed or filed anything with them. Just consulting with a preparer doesn't create any liability for you. You only become responsible once you sign the return (either physically or by authorizing e-filing). I'd recommend keeping a record of your interaction with this preparer though - save any emails or documents they gave you, just in case you need them later. And definitely file that Form 14157 to report them. You're probably not the only person they're trying to scam, and many people don't realize it's fraud until the IRS comes after them years later.

How much were the penalties? I'm just curious how bad it gets if something like this happens accidentally.

Do you know if they also handle things like the Earned Income Credit automatically? I never know if I qualify for that one and am always afraid of missing it.

Yes, all Free File software options will check if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit automatically. They'll ask questions about your income, filing status, and dependents, then determine eligibility based on your answers. The software does the calculations for you - that's true for both expensive paid versions and Free File options. The EITC has specific income thresholds that change yearly, and the software stays updated with current limits. Just make sure you accurately enter information about your dependents including their SSNs, relationship to you, and how long they lived with you during the tax year, as this impacts both the childcare credit and EITC calculations.

VITA is awesome! I volunteered with them for two tax seasons. Just be aware they book up FAST so you need to make appointments early, usually starting in February. Also, some locations have limited capacity for handling certain tax situations, though W-2s and child care credits are definitely within their scope.

Is business insurance really worth it for a small consultant? I've been operating without it for 2 years and wondering if I'm taking a huge risk. What types do you recommend and what's the approximate cost?

Business insurance is absolutely worth it, even for small consultants. I learned this the hard way when a client claimed my advice caused them financial damage. My E&O insurance covered the legal fees to defend me, which would have been devastating to pay out of pocket. For most consultants, I recommend starting with professional liability/E&O insurance and general business liability. Depending on your field, costs range from $500-1500 annually for basic coverage. Some industries require higher coverage limits which cost more. There are also specialized policies if you handle sensitive data. The peace of mind alone is worth it, and since it's fully deductible, the after-tax cost is lower than the sticker price.

The startup costs thing is super helpful! I did spend about $3,200 on market research, website development, and initial branding before landing my first client. I didn't realize those could be deductible since they happened before I was "officially" in business. Is there a specific form for tracking those startup expenses? And do they go on this year's taxes even though some expenses were from late last year when I was planning the business?

I don't think I have any debts like that. My student loans are current and I don't have kids or back taxes that I know of. Would they at least notify me if they were taking my refund for something? This silence is what's killing me.

They should definitely send you a notice in the mail if they're offsetting your refund for any debt, but sometimes those notices arrive after they've already adjusted your refund. The Treasury Offset Program handles these situations, and they're required to notify you, but the timing isn't always great. If you're concerned, you can call the Treasury Offset Program directly at 800-304-3107 to see if you have any federal debts in the system that might affect your refund. They can tell you immediately if there's anything on file that would cause an offset, even before the IRS processes your return fully.

The app uses the same database as the website, so the information should be identical. The only difference is sometimes the app refreshes more frequently than the website during high traffic periods. I work in IT and know people who've worked on government systems - it's all pulling from the same data.

That's a great point I completely overlooked! Do you know if Georgia specifically has any special rules for this? Or where I should look to find out? I've been so focused on the federal side I haven't even thought about state implications.

Georgia does tax residents on worldwide income, unfortunately. You'll need to file Georgia Form 500 and report all income, including what you earned in Canada. Georgia doesn't automatically respect federal treaty positions, but they do allow a credit for taxes paid to foreign countries to avoid double taxation. Look for the "Credit for Taxes Paid to Another State or Country" section on your Georgia return. The credit is limited to the amount of Georgia tax attributable to the foreign income. The Georgia Department of Revenue website has detailed instructions, or you can call them directly at 1-877-423-6711 for clarification on your specific situation.

Adding to this great advice - if you didn't make the QEF election in the first year you held the PFIC, you might be able to make a late election using a "purging" procedure, but it's complicated and might result in immediate taxation of accumulated earnings. Sometimes it's still worth it to avoid the punitive default PFIC tax regime going forward. Also, keep an eye on the exchange rate fluctuations! The IRS allows several methods for currency conversion, and choosing the right one can make a significant difference in your tax liability.